Official: Immediate UN Activation of SBTF for South Sudan!

Hi Mapsters!

We hope this finds you all well.

Our colleagues at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) have just activated the Standby Volunteer Task Force for an important project in South Sudan. The activation request is urgent because OCHA is deploying a team to South Sudan this Friday and needs some information on the situation as quickly as possible.

The team arriving on Friday is in need of data so they can make informed decisions during their field mission. The data will be used by the United Nations to better assess and analyze the impact of emergencies on the population of South Sudan. Our role is therefore to collect secondary data (i.e., information obtainable from the Internet) which is essential to provide the team with targeted and effective assistance to those in need.

The deployment starts on July 4th (11am GMT/London time) with the bulk of the work completed at the end of the day July 5th (11pm GMT). They are asking us to remain on standby through July 20th (12pm GMT) for any follow up support that may be required. To participate in this unique deployment, please follow this link and join the Ning Group:

http://standbytaskforce.ning.com/group/south-sudan-july-2012

Please ask Kirk Morris (SkypeID: km5050) or Melissa Elliott (mellomely) or Anahi Ayala (anahiii) to add you to the dedicated UN Skype Chat. Please also sign up to the schedule only so we have a sense of who is and when you are participating.

Thank you! Go Team!

Peace,

Patrick & SBTF Core